Murder, mayhem, torture, voodoo and moonshine stills with a subplot of segregation.

Sounds like the makings for a blockbuster movie when in actuality, it is all part of the story line in the book titled “Dillinger & Youngblood’s Wooden Gun” by author D. Gordon Franks.

The front cover to “Dillinger & Young Blood’s Wooden Gun”

Franks, a SC4 alumnus, authored this book that is based upon the tenants at the boarding house once owned by his larger than life grandmother.

“As a child, I thought everyone’s grandmother carried a gun under their apron,” said Franks. He explained his grandmother wasn’t really trying to shoot stray cats, but was trying to appease her grandson.

Franks said he grew up in Port Huron, hearing stories about Dillinger, Youngblood and his uncle Genie Fields, who was alleged to have shot Youngblood in the back.

Youngblood was a tenant at his grandmother’s boarding house.

Frank said after looking at the only known photograph of Youngblood, he knew his story needed to be told.

Franks authored this book to gain peace of mind about what happened. None the less, Franks’ book is riveting as he tells about the life of Herbert Youngblood and his ties to John Dillinger.

This book holds your attention from the moment you open it.

Set in the 1930’s, this story is told from the perspective of the man that carved the wooden gun John Dillinger ultimately uses to escape prison.

As the story begins, Youngblood’s grandmother prophesies that he will one day be rich and famous.

As I got farther into the story I had to keep going to see what ultimately happened. I had to know would Youngblood ever get justice.

However the harsh, explicit way in which the story is told is not for the faint of heart. There is a lot of profanity. This book is rated R due to strong language and graphic scenes of violence.

According to the author, this story is one the FBI would rather not have told.

This book is based upon a true story and uses both fact and fiction. It’s definitely worth the read, and would make an ideal Christmas gift for the reader on your list. To order this book, visit dgordonfranks.com.

For some of us the holidays are a joyous time, but for others the holidays are not so joyous.

If you know someone who is having a rough time during the holiday, you can make a difference.

Volunteering can help those who are not feeling the holiday mood. Cooking Christmas dinner for someone who is unable, or inviting someone who is alone over the holidays for dinner.

Visit a homeless shelter and help feed the homeless.

For those who have had a loved one pass away, try making a Christmas memory box that includes all of the good memories that you have with that other person.

Send someone a holiday card. If a love one is not with you during the holiday, send them a care package.

One can donate money, food, clothes, etc. to a charity they wish to support. Charities like Toys-for-Tots.

Helping out in your community is an option. Start a community food drive, or maybe have a hot chocolate and cookies bake sale. Donate the profits to local community schools.

The holidays can bring out the good times in light of the bad times.

Depression affects many people in all shapes and sizes, including Bev Sykes. Photo Credit: Mairead Warner

Throwing a neighborhood Christmas party can help one get to know their neighbors better. It can also help those in need of company, and could bring those in need of some to talk to people to talk to.

During neighborhood Christmas parties, have the kids exchange gifts. For those whose holiday depression is caused by lack of income, create a Christmas budget. The budget can include food, decorations, gifts, etc.

Try organizing holiday menus, party ideas and a gift exchange.

If you, or someone you know, is feeling depressed over the holidays, there are people willing to help just a phone call away.

For the National Suicide Prevention Hotline Lifeline call (800)273- 8255. Here are the numbers for St. Clair Community Mental Health Services (810)987-6911 and (888)225-4447.

On Nov. 16, the Port Huron Museum announced their showing of “The Passages of Freedom: Secrets of the Underground Railroad” exhibit.

Monday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., viewers may have their memory refreshed and learn new information on this period in time.

It also touches on the Quilting Sisters from different parts of Michigan, along with their stories, some in relation to the hardships from a different time.

Port Huron Museum exhibit. Photo Credit: Amber Oile

“Seeing the history again really brought the reality back to life in my mind,” said Julie Cowny of Yale, Mi. Her son, Joe Cowny, also found some fascination in the secret facts of history kept behind closed doors.

In North America, the first African Americans were brought in 1619. The slave trade was abolished in 1808 in the United States, but you can find that out in anyone of your history books.

Safe houses were known as the secret hiding places for slaves attempting to escape. Slaves were hidden, sometimes behind staircases, in cramped areas for hours on end. Remaining quiet until word was given and the coast was clear to move.

Port Huron Museum exhibit. Photo Credit: Amber Oile

Gardeners, or guides, were known as conductors, and actual conductors were known as abductors.

Most had little chance of even knowing about the safe houses, because they were kept a secret.

Marilyn Heberer, a Port Huron Museum employee for 31 years and counting, had never even heard of this until the exhibit was shown. Heberer said, “It’s nice to learn new facts about history, although it must be hard to interpret a part of history that was never allowed to talk about.”

The Underground Railroad and Quilting Sisters exhibit is set to stay on display until Feb. 24, 2013.

“Saga” is Brian K. Vaughan’s, producer of “Lost” and writer of “Y: the Last Man,” newest comic endeavor, along with artist Fiona Staples.

“Saga” has recently found its home in trade paperback form. Through “Saga,” Vaughan creates a world of strange creatures, weird locations and ghost babysitters with all the hints of a larger unseen world that reminds me of the best parts of “Star Wars.”

Oh, did I mention magic is a thing in this Sci-fi story?

Photo Credit: Mira Hartford under a creative common liscence

The story centers on a newly married pair of- for lack of a better term- “aliens,” who have defected from opposing warring races, trying to get their new born baby away from the war they each have no interest in being a part in.

The two warring races are the Horns and the Wings, for short.

The Horns, you guessed it, have horns, ranging from deer antlers to goat like spirals. They are the wielders of magic.

The Wings have, well, wings, ranging in shape from bug like to bird like. They rely on science and technology for their military power.

Just a heads up, “Saga” does have the content about the level of a HBO drama. If you’re reading this, I assume you’re in college and can handle that. If not, this may not be the book for you.

The story in “Saga” is well done; even the weirdest or evil characters get their humanizing moment in the story. The little personal moments between the main characters are my favorite parts.

The whole book flows nicely, little personal moments are set next to big important, or strange, moments that all seem to fit together to make up the world.

To help cover adoption fees, an anonymous supporter has offered to help cover the cost of any pet featured in the Erie Square Gazette. For more information on adopting these pets, contact the Sanilac County Humane Society at (810) 657-8962 or e-mail them at societypets @att.net. You can also visit their webpage and check out the other adorable adoptees at www. petfinder .com /shelters/ MI278.html. For more information call 989-5584.

Maverick is an adult male Collie/Hound mix who is house trained. He has short brown, black, and white fur, and is neutered and up-to-date with routine shots. His adoption fee is $175.00.

Dokken is a young female gray tabby short hair. She is spayed, house trained, and up-to-date on routine shots. Her adoption fee is $75.

Like us on Facebook!

Editor’s Note

All views expressed in editorials and columns within the Erie Square Gazette are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ESG or any of its advertisers. We welcome feedback!